From Unicode to Universal Acceptance: Empowering Amazigh Tifinagh for Full Digital Presence
This session presents a real-world case study on integrating the Indigenous Amazigh language written in Tifinagh script into the global digital ecosystem through Unicode standards and Universal Acceptance (UA). The presentation will showcase the experience led by TIFSA Atlas Association for Sustainable Development in partnership with ICANN and in collaboration with UNESCO, including the registration of an Internationalized Domain Name (IDN) in Tifinagh script, implementation of multilingual email systems supporting EAI (Email Address Internationalization), and practical compatibility testing across digital platforms. The session will explore the technical, linguistic, and social challenges faced during the project, including Unicode support, domain and email validation issues, WordPress compatibility, and awareness-building around digital inclusion for Indigenous languages. This experience demonstrates how local civil society initiatives can contribute to building inclusive digital infrastructures that support linguistic diversity, cultural preservation, and equitable participation in the global Internet ecosystem. Participants will gain insights into: Unicode implementation for Indigenous scripts Universal Acceptance and EAI deployment Practical lessons from multilingual digital infrastructure testing Strategies for digital inclusion of underrepresented languages The role of community-led initiatives in Internet accessibility and linguistic equity